Robert Lee Cooper letters, 1894-1941.

ArchivalResource

Robert Lee Cooper letters, 1894-1941.

This collection contains letters written by Robert Lee Cooper primarily to Elizabeth (Lily) Floride Green dated 1898 and 1899, just before the couple was married. The letters primarily document their courtship and serve as a window into the manners and attitudes of white Georgians at the turn of the century. The letters also depict Cooper's work as a railroad claims clerk in Savannah, Georgia, and include his expressions of frustration with the job and incessant complaints of overwork. Cooper also cautions his future wife against overexerting herself by sewing or handwriting letters. Cooper's letters additionally provide interesting detail regarding President McKinley's December 1898 visit to Savannah; colloquial expressions; local food ways; white response to racial tension in Darien, GA; local amusements, including Masonic and church social life as well as theater; and a July 4th visit to Tybee Island. The letters are primarily sent from Savannah to Dalton, Georgia. Other correspondents include Carrie W. Green and Mrs. Ben E. Green. Two letters dated 1941, sent from San Francisco and Ft. McKinley, Manila, are addressed to "Mother and Father" from "devotedly brother" and discusses military life. The collection was purchased in January 2009 and an inventory of the letters and biographical information about the correspondents was prepared by the seller.

1 box (.5 cubic feet)

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7323608

Georgia Historical Society

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Central of Georgia Railway

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6352kns (corporateBody)

The Central Rail Road and Canal Company was organized in 1833 by a group of Savannah businessmen. In 1835, its name changed to Central Rail Road and Banking Company of Georgia. The company was sold and reorganized as the Central of Georgia Railway in 1895. IN 1971, the name changed to Central of Georgia Railroad. From the description of Central of Georgia Railway stock certificate, 1839. (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 46736168 The Central of Georgia Railwa...

Cooper, Robert L., b. ca. 1875.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v44h14 (person)

Cooper, Robert Lee, b. ca. 1875.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v736n4 (person)

Robert Lee Cooper was born ca. 1875 and married Elizabeth (Lily) Floride Green (born ca. 1874) of Dalton, Georgia, on 6 December 1899. Cooper, who may have been a relative of the founders of Cooperville (Screven Co., Georgia), was a claims clerk with the Central of Georgia Railway and Green was the granddaughter of Duff Green (1791-1875), a journalist, and politician, and the daughter of Col. Benjamin Green (1822-1907), a businessman and diplomat. From the description of Robert Lee C...

Green, Elizabeth Floride, b. ca. 1874.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6100r8t (person)